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CPA Networks/offers wanting your traffic source username/password (21)

07-30-2014 10:23 AM #1 craigm (Veteran Member)
CPA Networks/offers wanting your traffic source username/password

I've just been told that if I want to run an offer the advertiser wants my traffic source username & password before I can run

Is this normal? should I do it?

07-30-2014 10:24 AM #2 maynzie (Moderator)

lol I have never heard of this before, definitely not normal from my experience

07-30-2014 10:29 AM #3 iAmAttila (Veteran Member)

unfortunately it is normal since google march 30th developer update sent shivvers down every single android app developers spine

google now requires app owners to comply 100% with their promotional policies for apps, and to do so app owners ask full transparency - meaning access to your accounts

thank google

07-30-2014 10:32 AM #4 lavamyz (Member)
CPA Networks/offers wanting your traffic source username/password

I was asked for mine by a mobile cpa network last month. Pretty sure it didn't ask for my password too though, just traffic source etc.

07-30-2014 10:37 AM #5 craigm (Veteran Member)

Quote Originally Posted by iAmAttila View Post
unfortunately it is normal since google march 30th developer update sent shivvers down every single android app developers spine

google now requires app owners to comply 100% with their promotional policies for apps, and to do so app owners ask full transparency - meaning access to your accounts

thank google
What are their restrictions in anyways? I recall you mentioning something regarding CTAs on creatives but I didn't see anything about that on their site

07-30-2014 10:48 AM #6 craigm (Veteran Member)

And another question for the STM faithful, would you personally accept this and share your details?

07-30-2014 11:09 AM #7 dennis (Member)

I got asked a lot about my traffic sources. However, I almost never give them out.
I worked hard enough to find a traffic source that works for me and I won't let some company trace exactly what I do to copy it.

07-30-2014 11:47 AM #8 lavamyz (Member)

so far i havent, i keep losing the email/skype message

07-30-2014 11:56 AM #9 iAmAttila (Veteran Member)

Quote Originally Posted by craigm View Post
What are their restrictions in anyways? I recall you mentioning something regarding CTAs on creatives but I didn't see anything about that on their site
their ad approval guys can freely interpret their policy and even make up their own as they see fit

07-31-2014 02:19 AM #10 deondup (Member)

I've been asked as well. At first I laughed and thought they where joking.

When I realized they where serious I reminded them of the implications it can have for them as a company...after which I switched all my links to another network.

07-31-2014 07:53 AM #11 craigm (Veteran Member)

Quote Originally Posted by deondup View Post
I've been asked as well. At first I laughed and thought they where joking.

When I realized they where serious I reminded them of the implications it can have for them as a company...after which I switched all my links to another network.
They said it isn't the network themselves but rather a particular advertiser who wants it, it doesn't apply to the other offers on the network

07-31-2014 08:03 AM #12 iAmAttila (Veteran Member)

Quote Originally Posted by craigm View Post
They said it isn't the network themselves but rather a particular advertiser who wants it, it doesn't apply to the other offers on the network
i bet its a CPI offer, and as i said its because of google's policy... you either comply with what they ask or you run other stuff its that simple

07-31-2014 08:28 AM #13 craigm (Veteran Member)

Quote Originally Posted by iAmAttila View Post
i bet its a CPI offer, and as i said its because of google's policy... you either comply with what they ask or you run other stuff its that simple
yup, playstore shit

07-31-2014 09:31 AM #14 compound (Member)

I don't run mobile, but anyway -- traffic source + username & pw? This sounds crazy to me.

It's one thing to tell them the traffic type (display / contextual / search / social), but the actual traffic source + username + pw? Might as well give them your ssn.

07-31-2014 09:53 AM #15 caurmen (Administrator)

I've heard about this before, from one advertiser in particular.

Personally my considered response was to tell them (nicely) to fuck off.

But I guess it depends how much you trust the advertiser, and how much you want the offer.

07-31-2014 10:53 AM #16 keepthecar (Member)

I cannot even begin to imagine ever handing out my username + password

07-31-2014 06:26 PM #17 stackman (Administrator)

Don't share it lol!

That's called crossing the line. Give them a screenshot at most.

07-31-2014 08:04 PM #18 arjun (Member)

Wow. I've never heard of anything like this. That information is too sensitive in my opinion.

"Here, look at my secret special sauce's ingredients!"

07-31-2014 08:40 PM #19 servandosilva (Member)

Don't they want your user and password of your tracker too? Or just give them your paypal access LOL.

Never heard of this, but I'd do what caurmen suggests...

07-31-2014 09:35 PM #20 thepeopleschamp (Member)

Nah i've done it and it's fine (CPI offer indeed). Just give them a certain time where they can login to your account and just quickly change all your passwords and stuff afterwards... Wasn't the CPA network that wanted to see the campaigns, but the advertiser (chinese app dev). Also you dont have to show them everything :P Just give them 1 source to check out and then do whatever you want (as long as its compliant)

07-31-2014 10:02 PM #21 zeno (Administrator)

I'd only do that if direct with the advertiser (at least contact wise).

I would provide a LastPass share option so they don't actually know the details.

I would also probably make a new traffic source account so that they can only see campaigns for their offer.

It's weird territory but if it's a Play Store offer it's pretty clear why they are doing it.

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